Greenhouse exports top US$70M yearly, headed to US$200M

Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.- Greenhouse exports now top US$70 million per year in and aims to reach US$ 200 million, with six million square meters of crops under protected environment nationwide.

Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) CEO Osmar Benitez revealed the figures to kick off the “61st Meeting of Agribusiness Leaders,” and noted the dedication and expertise by Jarabacoa’s producers as pioneers in greenhouse planting.

JAD Board chairman Cesar Paniagua noted the sector’s sustained growth and said it has the potential to generate jobs in rural areas.

In the meeting, National Greenhouses Committee chairman Hector Gonzalez asked the government for more financial support, with loans under the same conditions as other sectors of the economy.

For his part, Jarabacoa Greenhouse Cluster president Romulo Abreu said they asked president Danilo Medina to extend the debt payment period with the Agricultural Bank, eliminate fines and interest in arrears and reduce the current interest rate to 5%, among other benefits.